The Miami Heat didn’t have Dwyane Wade Tuesday night, who rested after some recent struggles.
It didn’t matter to teammate LeBron James, who singed Philadelphia for a season-best 41 points to lead Miami’s 99-93 victory over the Sixers.
James scored 14 consecutive Miami in the fourth quarter as the Heat clinched a playoff berth with the victory.
“We’re happy to get a win against a very good playoff team,” James told ESPN.com’s Heat Index. “I needed to take control a little bit more.”
He did just that, scoring 15 points in the fourth quarter as Miami claimed its 16th straight home victory. In the process, James scored at least 30 points for the first time since March 14 — a nine-game streak that was his longest since 2004-05.
And in the process, he finished at the top of Tuesday’s Studs and Duds.
STUDS
Miami F LeBron James: Erupted for a season-high 41 points, along with six rebounds, four assists, three steals and was plus-12 in the Heat’s triumph over Philadelphia.
Detroit C Greg Monroe: Went for 22 points, 11 rebounds, three assists and was plus-10 in the Pistons’ victory over Orlando.
Sacramento C DeMarcus Cousins: Notched 41 points, 12 rebounds, two assists, two steals and was plus-3 in the Kings’ loss to Phoenix.
New Jersey F Kris Humphries: Muscled for 18 points, 15 rebounds, three assists and two steals in the Nets’ loss at the Lakers.
Indiana F Carmelo Anthony: Went for 39 points, 10 rebounds, two assists and two steals in the Knicks’ loss at Indiana.
DUDS:
Sacramento G Jimmer Fredette: Missed all six field-goal attempts and was minus-7 in the Kings’ loss at Phoenix.
Philadelphia G Jrue Holiday: Went 4-for-11 from the field with six turnovers and was a game-worst minus-13 in the Sixers’ loss at Miami.
Miami G Norris Cole: Missed both shots, had five turnovers and was minus-7 in the Heat’s trimph over Philadelphia.
Memphis G Tony Allen: Went 1 of 6 from the field with four turnovers in the Grizzlies’ victory over Golden State.
New Jersey C Johan Petro: Missed all eight shots from the field and was minus-8 in the Nets’ loss at the Lakers.
Orlando G J.J. Redick: Went 1 for 9 from the field with a turnover and was minus-5 in the Magic’s loss at Detroit.